JP fails to calm treble fever

After Istabraq had blown away the opposition to win his third successive AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday, his owner JP McManus endeavoured to calm the tidal wave of optimism that now assumes a similar treble is assured in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in March.

Surrounded by the media and well-wishers, the legendary gambler said: "I always keep in mind what an old bookmaker used to say to me - beware of the certainty!" He may as well have tried to calm the ocean.

Nobody was going to try and correct McManus but Istabraq had just beaten some of the best around, with Charlie Swan looking over his shoulder, and Ladbrokes had cut him to 1 to 3 for Cheltenham.

McManus seemed to sense the incredulity and admitted: "Saying that, I suppose it looks like he will be hard to beat - but getting him there fit and well is always the main concern."

It was a token touch of realism that was overwhelmed by admiration for the Aidan O'Brien-trained champion, who overhauled the second favourite Limestone Lad on the turn-in and then sauntered home from the last, four lengths clear of the novice Stage Affair.

Limestone Lad had been built up as a realistic challenger, as he had beaten a less than fully fit Istabraq at Fairyhouse last November, but he faded to fourth, and O'Brien, alluding to the champion's fitness at Fairyhouse, smiled and said: "Istabraq would never have been beaten that day if human beings hadn't interfered!"

Florida Pearl, Ireland's main challenger for the Gold Cup, also won yesterday, but just by a short head and was stretched to 10 to 1 behind the 7 to 4 favourite, See More Business.

However, Istabraq is now firmly back at centre stage, and the trainer of yesterday's runner-up Dermot Weld summed up the mood when saying: "Istabraq must be as good a hurdler as we've ever seen."